Roy Hodgson refused to be drawn on whether Harry Kane was the best striker he'd ever work with but was quick to point out there would be a few people contending for that spot including the Brazilian Ronaldo.

The Eagles boss has had a varied managerial career from the likes of Viking to Inter, the UAE to Inter Milan.

Read More

"He'll get stronger and stronger both for Spurs and for England and I'm not the slightest bit surprised how successful he is because he works to be successful and he has all the qualities needed to be that top centre-forward.

"Unfortunately I shall be on the wrong end of him, I always preferred when he was on the team I was coaching."

With such plaudits, it is difficult to see how Crystal Palace might restrict the forward who has already netted 23 goals in 26 Premier League appearances.

Read More

Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Liverpool at Anfield. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Hodgson was realistic when asked how to stop Tottenham's star man: "With great difficulty I suppose is the simple answer.

"He is in great form, he's been in great form over the last couple of seasons, he's scoring goals for fun, he's got all the qualities you need for a centre-forward. He has no particular weaknesses, he's playing in a good team who feed him well and provide him with opportunities.

"Of course he's shown the great finisher he is when those opportunities come his way. All we can do is try and limit those opportunities really because we know that if he gets enough of them he will score the goals his team needs.